The Players:

Episode Title: “The Trip to Pirate’s Cove”

Ellie turns on the charm to help Andy during Buccaneer Week while Laurie’s business takes a naughty turn.

The Good:

Pirates of Persuasion: Cougar Town has never been a show rooted in serious subject matter. Often even simplest of conflict is spurred on by the silliest situation. However, Mayor Andy’s need to make Buccaneer Week a success for his political career was realer than intended. Would anyone have believed that Andy could be so wrapped up in promoting businesses that he’d forget about his pact to keep his phone on all day? Claiming Bobby isn’t rooted in reality to dismiss his report of a giant jellyfish was hard to watch, but of course Andy made it right. The night ended with the two holding hands and walking shirtless into the ocean. Be warned though—friendship won’t keep the jellyfish from attacking. The writers even threw in a little Confidence Dance to cover all the bases.

The So-So:

Chellie: Sometimes change is the last thing you need. As far as Ellie’s concerned, giving her a career is fine but altering her nature negates the purpose of her character. Ellie’s ability to eviscerate any person in 30 seconds or less is her charm—not that pathetic sniveling suck up she pretended to be. Ellie’s disgust at Jules’ attraction to her fake side was the only part of the story we could get behind. Who doesn’t love Ellie just the way that she is? While we applaud the show’s obvious attempts to venture into the new and unknown, this isn’t the way to get it done. Without Ellie’s acerbic wit there’d be no one in the Cul de sac Crew to fight the hard battles of setting the others straight when they’re being stupid. Some things aren’t worth messing with.

Cake Slut: One naughty cake for Tom’s bachelor party rapidly dissolved into creepy newlywed Bonnie asking for a naked self portrait cake with an accelerate pregnant belly. Laurie’s sometimes forgotten cake business fell down the naughty cakes rabbit hole. Grayson’s lesson about how some business comes with too many strings was the only highlight. His tale of soccer hooligans taking over his bar was rather boring, but we’d listen to him sing, “Ole, ole, ole, ole,” until the end of time. Actually the rest of Laurie’s problem was rather dull as well. Yet again, dragging Laurie’s cake shop front and center was a great idea; the gang needs new and different problems. But why dredge something up only to ruin it with a mundane story?

The Quotable:

“Friendship doesn’t stop to pee.”— Andy

“That’s the first time I’ve been called slut in a bad way.”— Laurie

Overall:

“The Trip to Pirate’s Cove” wasn’t the pun-filled night of silly antics we expected. Actually one of the funniest parts of the night was watching Grayson struggle to come up with even one pirate joke. There was so much potential wasted. Being bold enough to try new situations doesn’t work if you don’t add the humor to back it up. Andy’s weak Captain Kirk impression isn’t enough to carry the night guys. Stick to the ridiculous shenanigans that hooked fans in the first place and you can’t go wrong.